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Celebrities Who Have Gambling Problems

This list of celebrities that are or have reportedly been addicted to gambling is loosely ranked by fame and popularity. It's no secret that stars love to spend their money. It's common for famous people to purchase everything from luxury cars to real estate, but certain celebs gamble away their earnings at casinos and poker tournaments. Some of Hollywood's biggest movie stars have reportedly been addicted to gambling, including Ben Affleck, Charlie Sheen, and Tobey Maguire. Placing bets is also not a just a man's pastime. Female celebrities addicted to gambling include actress Shannon Elizabeth, who is a poker pro. There are also times when a gambling addiction spins out of control. Those who makes bets range from the casual player to the compulsive gambler, or one who suffers from ludomania. In 2011, music legend Gladys Knight revealed that she beat a nearly decade-long gambling problem and confessed to spending thousands a night playing baccarat. NBA great Charles Barkley admitted he'd lost over $30 million at casinos throughout his adult life. Other athletes who had debts from betting include Phil Mickelson. We gathered a list of famous gamblers in the list below with stories of them overcoming gambling addictions. See if one of your favorite Hollywood or sports stars has risked it all in the high stakes world of gambling to become one of these celebrity gamblers!

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  1. 1

    Nelly

    In 2011, Nelly's former promoter Slim accused the "Hot in Herre" rapper of blowing all of his money on gambling.

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  2. 2

    Ben Affleck

    A-list actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck entered rehabilitation in 2001 for his addictions to gambling and alcohol.

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  3. 3

    Shannon Elizabeth

    After landing her breakout role in American Pie, Shannon Elizabeth found a second career as a poker player. Her passion for poker fueled rumors that she was running a gambling ring from her own home!

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  4. 4

    Michael Phelps

    Olympic golden boy Michael Phelps doesn't just collect medals in the pool. Friends onced reportedly feared of a growing gambling addiction.

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  5. 5

    Charles Barkley

    Outspoken former NBA star and sports analyst Charles Barkley estimated that his gambling problem cost him as much as $30 million.

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  6. 6

    Charlie Sheen

    During her 2006 divorce filing, Charlie Sheen's ex-wife Denise Richards said the actor had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on sports betting.

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  7. 7

    Gladys Knight

    Known as the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight candidly wrote about being hooked on sports betting and baccarat for nearly 10 years in her autobiography Between Each Line of Pain and Glory: My Life Story.

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  8. 8

    Tobey Maguire

    In 2011, the Spider-Man star was sued in relation to his participation in a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling ring.

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  9. 9

    Ray Romano

    Emmy-winning actor Ray Romano revealed that his Men of a Certain Age character Joe Tranelli's overcoming a gambling problem was based on personal experience.

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  10. 10

    Matt Damon

    Like Tobey Maguire and his longtime friend Ben Affleck, Matt Damon was reportedly involved in an illegal gambling ring that took place at five-star hotels and private homes.

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